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Sunday, November 9, 2008

Penang has always been embedded deep within a corner of my heart. The food, the places, the people (ahem) and the 4 memorable years spent living on the island, were reasons enough to lure me over to the Pearl of the Orient again and again ....

Penang Bridge - Currently under construction/renovation/expansion works ....

Yup, work took me over to Penang the last few days. Not much of a holiday, nor a food tour, as schedule's pretty packed and food's provided 24/7, aka 6 meals a day. As usual. :)

Dorsett Penang Hotel, on Jalan Larut in the heart of Georgetown

We were put up in Dorsett Penang Hotel, a 4 star hotel in Penang. I harboured major expectations before arriving, mainly from the photos of the place on the Net, and hearing rather rave reviews from peers and reviewers alike. The food's supposed to be excellent. Or so they say. However .....

Comfortable and clean rooms, with basic amenities provided

The room's spick and span. No complaints whatsoever. Though some rooms have MORE utensils supplied, such as disposable toothbrush, complimentary mineral water and such. But some did not. But minor teething problems, the very least.

The swimming pool's on the 4th floor, but a tad too constricted for one to do laps. Or even splash around. Especially when sharing with the probably hundreds of guests on weekends. A gym's available for fitness freaks, but seriously, who works out on a holiday?!!!

As for the food .... well, let's leave that for the next posts, shall we? (ie: nothing to shout about)

Around Swatow Lane, and Nagore Road off Jalan Burma

Dorsett's located rather strategically in town centre, a mere short walk to most places of interest. Mostly revolving food, which is all that matters in my book, anyway. =P

Mizi's Bistro at New World Park

When I was a student (aka when I was REALLY young and naive), we used to patronize Swatow Lane for their famous ABC, or Ais Kacang, and various other hawker fares, namely Char Kuey Teow, and Or Chien (Oyster Omelette).

The heat notwithstanding, eating under the make-shift (but rather, a permanent fixture) stall with zinc roofs on the pathway may not be the ideal place for one to sit and chat over a cuppa (in this case, over a bowl of). Some detractors find the place un-hygienic, but seriously, which hawker stall/restaurant adheres strictly to hygiene regulations?

The famous ABC (Ais Batu Campur) stall, now relocated into the newly-built New World Park.

But Penang's really kind to hawkers and traders. Building a revamped and spacious area to house the stalls, and then various other restaurants, cafes, and retail outlets, complete with a parking area, under the moniker, New World Park.

Though some might argue the place has lost its originality and authenticity, but slurping on an iced-cold ABC under the shades, with sufficient airflow and fans, and cleaner surroundings appeals more to tourists and locals alike. Of course, commercialization breeds inflation. But ever so slightly. Imagine a lady selling "Freshly (ahem)made Sushi" from table to table, and the prices of the food/beverages bumped up a notch. Small price to pay, really.

Lor Bak, a perfect snack when one doesn't feel like indulging in a full meal

A soothing thought when it comes to Penang street food, is that no matter where you're eating, you're bound to be at least satisfied with ONE, or more (as in most cases) type(s) of food. Yup, the difference in taste barely noticable, especially in simple food such as Lor Bak (a platter of various deep-fried snacks served with chilli sauce and a sticky concoction of soy sauce and egg white).

Century eggs served with pickled ginger slices, and prawn fritters remain as my favourite choices, while the original Lor Bak (pork rolls wrapped in beancurd sheet) and Taiwanese sausages come as close seconds.

Divine. 'Nuff said. RM3.80 for a bowl with ice-cream and mixed fruits.

So, what's so special bout Swatow Lane's Ais Kacang? Not that they have some secret ingredients, or special syrup (Sarsi, anyone?), or different ice-cream (think Kek Seng's durian ice-cream, and smacked lips).

But they throw in a different combination of fruits to complement the shaved ice with red sugar syrup, and evaporated milk. Papaya, banana, mango, 'Ciku', and watermelon, with attap seeds (palm seeds), red beans, and cincau (grass jelly). And top it all with a scoop of peanut ice-cream. Let the ice-cream melts, and savour the creamy, and refreshing concoction. Spoonfuls of goodness.

New World Park at Jalan Burma

That's all for a lazy Sunday's post. So many others have reviewed bout this place, whether on the hawker fare, or the restaurants there. Google for New World Park or Swatow Lane, and surf away ....

I've tried to attach a map, but somehow I've only managed to get one with directions. So I've added one with directions from Komtar to this place. Click HERE. (Help's appreciated on how to attach a map with only the point of interest marked, thanks!)

hey ..I'm in Penang too.. also for a short trip.. let me know if you got time to meet up for a meal.. or if you need some directions or food place recommendations, do ask. (but since you stayed in Penang before I guess not huh? )Whatever it is, enjoy your stay & yes, Penang food is something to savour ;pHowever, I must say the standard has really dropped. For Ais Kacang there is usually black syrup or sarsi flavoured syrup in addition to the red one. Somehow, it taste just like sugar water to me now.. but yeah..a scoop of ice cream sure helps to "cream" it up!

Hmm...Motormouth, did u try the famous laksa behind Dorsett, just outside Giant (Penang Plaza) back entrance? Its an Indian man on motorcycle serving laksa from his motorcycle with a myriad of titbits (fried popiah, tofu, nyonya kuih) NOrmally he is there btw 3pm -6pm daily. Very nice & unique.

Been some year since i last tried.. not sure if he is still there....but if u do stay in Dorsett again, u should try it out.

Hmm...Motormouth, did u try the famous laksa behind Dorsett, just outside Giant (Penang Plaza) back entrance? Its an Indian man on motorcycle serving laksa from his motorcycle with a myriad of titbits (fried popiah, tofu, nyonya kuih) NOrmally he is there btw 3pm -6pm daily. Very nice & unique.

Been some year since i last tried.. not sure if he is still there....but if u do stay in Dorsett again, u should try it out.

Yesss~ I soooooo agree w Jasmine! Yup, the yam cake is nice, so is his other stuffs.The dude on the bike moved into the coffeeshop also near where he was based last time I think. That was when I was in Pg months ago, now got to chk again if he's there or not..Yeahh..your post came a wee bit too late! ;p

Swatow Lane is now New World Park, and although I agree the food quality is below expectation now, I don't oppose to the idea of modernization of this famous tourist haunt:)Who wants to sit and enjoy specks of dust in your ais kacang along the road when you can have it under a shaded area with a big fan or fans, blowing your hair messy?:D

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I hail from Ipoh, Perak with a strong desire to share the best of Malaysian food, and the endless chapters of my personal travel stories. Currently writes at www.j2kfm.com. And I am residing in KL/PJ now.